When I was in L.A. this past weekend, I noticed vibrant colored cocktails glowing across the restaurant and bar scene.

Ah, summer. You are here.

Normally, when it’s time to order I’ll settle for my usual glass of champagne or Jack and ginger; but seeing those cocktails inspired me to search for a drink that would razzle up my taste buds.

I wanted something fresh and simple to mix, from the liquor to the fruit. I was after the perfect combination.

Well, perfection is often elusive, but I may have just stumbled across the nirvana of libations.

Meet the raspberry thyme smash cocktail.

Isn’t she pretty?

The fresh thyme and raspberry add a spark to an otherwise plain vodka drink. Truthfully, it’s not the fruit that puts this drink on the Hollywood stars’ map, it’s the simple syrup. When you make a batch, you’ll discover why it’s called “simple.”

Another great feature of this syrup is you can add it to lemonade, fruit punch, or iced tea; the perfect summer beverage combination, indeed.

So get up, mix it up, and meet me on the patio, say in 5?

Raspberry-Thyme Smash
(recipe from Bon Appetit)
Serves 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
2 fresh thyme sprigs, divided
7 fresh raspberries,divided
ice cubes
1/4 cup vodka, any kind you like
2 tablespoons simple syrup
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Directions:
Place thyme leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add about six raspberries and mash with the thyme using the bottom of a wooden spoon. Then add vodka, simple (yum-town) syrup, and lime juice. Shake and then pour into glasses. Garnish with thyme and a raspberry! Cheers!
To make the simple syrup…stir 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup water in small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil, cool, and then place in fridge to chilax.